Forties music will be the food of love when a version of Twelfth Night set during World War Two plays on in Lancaster’s Williamson Park later this month.
Shakespeare’s playful romcom is brought to life by Lancaster’s own Three Left Feet theatre company who’ll be making their debut in the park from June 23-25.
They’ve set Twelfth Night in 1942 – exactly 80 years ago and 10 years before Queen Elizabeth II acceded the throne – and it will be accompanied with live music including a performance by the Aguecheek Sisters, a Shakespearian take on the Andrews Sisters.
"We chose Twelfth Night because not only is it hilarious, but fundamentally, it's also about falling in love, coping with loss, and finding one another even in the most difficult of times, which everyone can relate to, " said Elspeth Dale, Three Left Feet’s creative producer and company co-director.
“The way we perform it will be very accessible too.”
Twelfth Night will be presented in The Dell where romance is in the air. The general is in love with the commander. The commander is in love with the general's new officer and the general's new officer… is confused.
Shipwrecked and alone, young officer Viola swaps her naval beret for military khakis as she disguises herself as a man to gain work with the Illyrian forces.
However, all is not as it seems…
Flung into the middle of lovesick leaders, mischievous meddling, and a bizarre case of mistaken identity, will Viola be able to keep her secret – or will the pesky business of love get in the way?
A ten-strong cast will perform the Shakespeare classic accompanied with a band who’ll play before and during the production. They will also play during the interval when the Aguecheek Sisters will serenade the audience with catchy wartime hits and a vintage ice cream van will be open too.
The June 25 performance coincides with Armed Forces Day and Three Left Feet are also supporting veterans by organising a fundraising event outside the Firstlight Trust’s café in Lancaster on June 11 where performers will sing songs from the show and sell scones and cakes.
Three Left Feet will present a matinee performance of Twelfth Night for schools on June 23 too.
Twelfth Night is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Tickets for the 7pm performances from June 23-25 are priced £12 for adults and £10 for children/students.
Bookings can be made directly with The Dukes, here:
https://dukeslancaster.org/whats-on/theatre/twelfth-night
Summer 2022 is promising to be a busy one for Three Left Feet for as well as presenting Twelfth Night, they will be performing A Fisherman’s Tale during Gaia’s visit to Lancaster Priory on July 2; will launch another series of acting and performance classes for adults from July 12 at The Herbarium; and will lead a guided tour of Lancaster’s dinosaur connections as part of the city’s DinoFest on July 16.
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